Naggo Morris

Jamaican // Jamaica

Biography

Dolphin Morris AKA Naggo Morris was born in St. Mary, Jamaica and grew up in Kingston. Naggo fell in love with the entertainment business from watching his father, Vernal Morris; bring tears to the eyes of listeners when he played his saxophone. Naggo started out dancing with the Coasters. He then danced with Louise Bennett and Ranny Williams on TV shows like “Sounds of the Seventies,” “Mambo Tam Boo,” “Ring Ding” and “Coozie Corner.” They performed Christmas shows at the Carib, Regal Magestic, and State Theatres in Kingston, and the Strand and Palladium Theatres in Montego Bay.
Dancing was not enough for the multi-talented Naggo Morris, and he moved on to singing with the Morwells. He also recorded with the Royals on the albums “Pick up the Pieces” and “Conference Table,” and sang harmony for Studio 1 Recording, with the Soul Boys (Barrington Spence and Junior Zun). Naggo moved to Treasure Isle Recording Studio where he worked along-side Stranger Cole, Alton Ellis, Slim Smith, The Technique, The Unique and others. He went on to do the single “Say You” (Adapted), for Prince Toney, on the Front Line recording label and sang vocals on the album “Rasta Ambassador” with DJ U-Roy.
Naggo’s major hits include: “Here I Come”, the renowned “Su Su Pan Rasta,” and “Jah Guide” with Joe Gibbs. He also sang backing vocals with Lloyd Parks and the We the People Band. Some of his most treasured moments were working alongside: Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Bob Andy, creating multiple hit songs. In 1974, inspired by cases of people being poisoned by flour contaminated with an organophosphorus insecticide parathion in Jamaica, he made the hit song “Flour Power.” This took the entertainment industry by storm and continues to be a well-loved song.
Being a very accomplished roots singer, it was no mistake when the Heptones recruited Naggo to replace Leroy Sibbles in 1975. His deep roots-style perfectly complimented Earl Morgan’s and Barry Llewellyn’s keen harmony. The Heptones, with Naggo as lead singer, were the opening act at the first ever Reggae SunSplash in Montego Bay. The Heptones, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and many others inaugurated the annual reggae event. It was the Heptones’ first performance at Reggae SunSplash but not their last.
The Heptones also recorded “How Could I Leave” and others for Channel One. Dennis Brown’s rendition of the same song shot to number one. The Heptones recorded the album “Better Days” for Winston Niney Holliness Boswell and toured England in 1975. As a Heptone, Naggo toured Europe, Canada and the USA. He’s worked with musicians like Ansell Collins (key boards), Lloyd Park (Bass), Robbie Shakespeare (Bass), Sly Dunbar (drums), Frankie Bubbler (Organ), Ranchie McLean (guitarist), Ricka Backa (guitarist), Bongo Herman (percussion), Frank Aird (aka Blazing Frank) (trumpet), Vin Gordon (trombone), and Deadly Headley ( alto horns).
Naggo Morris released his first album “Everyday Life” in 2011. The album was written, arranged, and produced by Naggo and his siblings Vivia, Errol, and Mitchell Morris, along with the Heptones.
Naggo gives thanks to Winston Holliness and Larry MacDonald for producing most of his music. Also, thanks to Earl Morgan and Barry Llewellyn for the opportunity to work with them. And a special thank you to Roy Francis from the Mixing Lab Studios. Naggo continues to perform with the Heptones and in solo appearances.